Serena Williams turns it on, hits 18 aces in US Open victory

But eighth seed Pliskova, a former world number one and U.S. Open finalist in 2016, presents a tough task for Williams and is the last player to beat her in NY, having got the better of the six-times champion in the semi-finals two years ago.

Williams roared when she fought off Kanepi pressure in the opening game of the decider and pulled away, finishing the match with a tally of 47 winners, including 18 aces. The first set got over in just 18 minutes and the six-time US Open champion lost just six points. "I'm kind of enjoying that, to be honest".

This was filled with big hitting by both women, along with all manner of shifts in momentum and quality of play.

For six-times champion Williams, who is seeking her first Grand Slam title since becoming a mother last September, this may be her toughest test yet in NY as the Czech eighth seed has rediscovered the form that took her to the 2016 final.

Williams and Pliskova are 1-1 in head-to-head matches, but Pliskova defeated Williams in the semifinals here in 2016.

I feel like we want it so bad now.

"I know she has a big game, but I have a big game too". But it was a little bit different story, 2016. I was a dark horse.

The other quarterfinal on the top half of the draw will be defending champion Sloane Stephens of the USA against No. 19 Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia in a rematch from the same round past year. "I think that was a great point". They had combined for eight titles in Flushing Meadows, six by Serena, and each had beaten the other in a US Open final.

The Ukrainian said: "I was really dizzy and I asked nature or God or somebody, "please move the shade over faster".

Williams has been unstoppable in NY but faces her toughest test yet when she battles Pliskova in the quarter-finals at the US Open.

"I'm only in my third one back".

"Serena is probably the best player that I have ever seen on a tennis court on the women's tour", Rafael Nadal, the No. 1 men's seed, said after his four-set win. The short-term link-up seems to be putting the Czech on the right track. the No. 8 seed is flying high and now it is time for the real work to begin. "I ran back and hit a forehand cross-court - and the crowd went insane", she said.

"Just like I always say: Get your racket on it. Make a play on the ball".

"I know she was the best at that time, but I just wanted to win. I'm just going to try to keep building on that and keep going".